On Education, Power, & Wealth

Whoever (or “whatever” institution/ government) does the best job at education (preserving and transmitting) the technical information required to build economic prosperity will amass vast wealth and power. And we are living through a “changing of the guard”, one that has taken place a few times in the past. Each time leading to an enormous shift in the way the people of the time lived and worked. The role of dominant educator has most recently gone from the church, to the state, to where we are today. But where exactly are we today? And what does the future look like? In the modern world and digital economy the role of dominant educator will not be held by one institution or government but by decentralized internet networks (“digital communities”) of people who congregate due to having similar moral values and interests. In other words, the best way to learn in today’s rapidly evolving world is not from professors who have fancy degrees with no real world experience, or from state propaganda centers meant to create good industrial age workers, but from people who are actually participating, succeeding, and building real things of value. 

After the fall of the Roman Empire we entered in a period known as the Dark ages, in large part called so because of the lack of literacy and education. Another characteristic of the dark ages was fragmented military power. At this time in history the church was uniquely positioned to step in and help in two ways: 1.) create an overarching meta-philosophy to help establish rules of peace as only religion could and 2.) to act as the main source of education. By supporting universities and providing a minimal level of education to medieval society. By creating a more literate society the church was able to share information that helped to increase the productivity of farmers. Furthermore the church would send its most productive seed to areas where farming lagged behind in production. In this way the church was essential to improving the productivity of farming (grains, fruit, animals) and amassed massive amounts of wealth and power in doing so.

The church undertook many roles that are today provided by the state. As the medieval period evolved, so too did the centers of power. The Renaissance and Enlightenment brought a gradual shift in who held the keys to education. Secular governments began to assert control over education as they centralized power, developing public schooling systems in the 18th and 19th centuries aimed at cultivating obedient, literate citizens who could fuel industrial economies. These systems were designed to support state objectives, from creating productive workers to instilling loyalty and social cohesion. This model, designed for an industrial age that valued routine, conformity, and predictable outcomes, is outdated but still in use today. Public education systems, largely unchanged in structure, continue to rely on standardized testing, rigid curriculums, and one-size-fits-all approaches, with the goal of producing largely similar individuals. This system doesn’t prioritize individual strengths, passions, morals, or specific economic opportunities available in today’s digital economy, where creativity, adaptability are the real drivers of success.

In the past, the church amassed enormous wealth and power by being the primary educator, guiding people’s beliefs, skills, and livelihoods. When the state took over that role, it gained control over education, producing obedient, productive citizens who could support industrial economies. But today, we’re on the verge of a new shift, where neither the church nor the state will hold the dominant role in education. The model we’re still using today is largely unchanged from those industrial-age roots, and it’s showing its age. Public education is still focused on standardized curriculums, where students are moved through a rigid, one-size-fits-all system that churns out people meant to fit into traditional economic structures. The truth is, in today’s world, this model doesn’t make sense. We’re not preparing citizens for factory jobs anymore. We’re living in a digital economy where innovation, adaptability, and specialized knowledge are essential, yet our education system still pushes conformity and generalization. And now, the role of primary educator is shifting again, from the state to decentralized, specialized communities where people learn directly from those who are living and building in the real-world, not theories and outdated models of the world. People are turning to global networks, built around shared interests and moral values, where they can access knowledge from real practitioners. We’re moving toward a kind of neo-feudalism, where the most effective networks—those that can best educate and transmit the technical know-how to succeed in today’s economy—will amass power and influence, much like the church and the state once did. The best of these networks may very well become the new centers of authority, shaping the economy, culture, and the future itself.

At Solopreneur Studios, we’re stepping up to lead this revolution. By providing solopreneurs with direct access to people actively succeeding and innovating in the world today, we’re building a community that’s not limited by outdated educational models. We’re creating a network where learning is continuous, adaptable, and relevant to real life—where members get the insights, support, and skills they need to thrive. As the future of education breaks away from traditional institutions, Solopreneur Studios is here to empower a new generation, helping them succeed and take part in the global, borderless communities that are redefining tomorrow’s economy.

Cheers,

Hunter

Join the network: https://www.solopreneurstudios.com